Time to Make a Come Back

 

The little monkey in me is jumping in joy!

Hey everyone!

I think my silence is too long from this blog. It took a while for me to make a comeback after my last post in March. Yes! I made it to grad school in the US. It was a tough road that I rode but a meaningful one. It keeps me grounded as a person and know what I am worth. 

Since arriving in the US on June 5, it has been quite a struggle for me. However, I was trying my best to keep going. I am grateful for every person who never stops encouraging me and supports me in every way they can. I owe you guys so much, but I know you will get an abundance of blessings from above.  

That is all for today. I will try to keep this blog updated frequently. 

Till then,

Rose

Fundraising for Graduate Study in the USA

I never thought that I will finally decide to set up a crowdfunding page to raise funds for my graduate study. It was mixed feelings because I never did something like this before. In the beginning, it felt wrong because I know and am aware there are a lot less fortunate people out there that need cash to survive the day. As the deadlines for enrollment get closer, I start to feel anxious that I will not make it. After a few months of searching for potential scholarships available in Malaysia and the USA, I get to a dead end. Most of these scholarships are closed for applications or I am not eligible because of certain criteria that I could not meet. This is the ultimatum that makes me decide to finally do this. Besides, I get strong backup and support from Dr Alison that I should do this. Although in the beginning, it was my best friend, Najjah that came out with this idea which I did not even think of.

Here is the link to my crowdfunding page: Fundraising for Graduate Study in the USA.   

Please help to spread the word and your generosity will make this dream possible. Thank you so much for your kindness.   

Publications on Pangolin / Malayan Pangolin

While searching for information about the Pangolin, I came across different published journals, articles on websites and many more. All information mostly talks about the critical issues which are related to the illegal trade of these animals. This is especially with the article on the websites. Here are the lists of the articles that I found on websites that might be helpful to you.  

1. Britannica - pangolin  | pangolin, or scaly anteater, Any of about eight species of armoured placental mammals (genus Manis, order Pholidota) of tropical Asia and Africa. Scales formed of cemented hairs cover the upper body, legs, and tail. Pangolins are 2–6 ft (60–180 cm) long and weigh 10–60 lb (5–27 kg). They have a conical head, no teeth, a long tongue, short legs, and a long prehensile tail. Some are arboreal; terrestrial species live in burrows. Nocturnal animals and pangolins locate prey, mainly termites, by smell and rip open nests with their front claws. When threatened, the pangolin (Malayan for “rolling over”) curls up or emits an odoriferous secretion. See also anteater; echidna.
2. Wiki.nus - Manis javanica - Malayan pangolin | The Malayan Pangolin is a unique animal that instinctively appears to be a reptile due to its conspicuous scales covering most of the animal's body surface. This mammal lives on a diet of ants and termites and rolls into a ball of hard scales when provoked. Sadly, this interesting animal is currently endangered, with hunting for its meat, skin and scales as a driver of its massive population decline. While wild populations of Malayan Pangolins still exist in Singapore's forested areas, their numbers continue to decline due to habitat loss and vehicular accidents.
3. Save Pangolins - What is a pangolin? | Pangolins are uniquely covered in tough, overlapping scales. These mammals eat ants and termites using an extraordinarily long, sticky tongue and can quickly roll themselves up into a tight ball when they feel threatened. Eight different pangolin species can be found across Asia and Africa. Poaching for illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss have made these incredible creatures one of the most threatened groups of mammals in the world. 
4. Ecology Asia - Sunda Pangolin | The Sunda Pangolin, also known as the Malayan or Javan Pangolin, is a curious, unmistakable inhabitant of Southeast Asia's forested habitats (primary, secondary, scrub forest) and plantations (rubber, palm oil).
5. Discover Wildlife - Pangolin guide | In our expert pangolin guide, learn about the world's only scaled mammal, how many species there are, and why they are threatened with extinction.
6. DrawInScience - Pangolin | Pangolins are peculiar and beautiful animals, we could even think they come from an imaginary world, but they are real. They are the only mammals covered by overlapping scales (made from keratin — the same protein that forms human hair and fingernails). They are toothless, have poor vision, and have an acute olfactory system.

This is an interesting piece of information that I think might help your understanding of these heavily trafficked animals.